National Healthcareer Association's (NHA) Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) has been recognized by Arizona as an approved certification, meeting the licensure requirements for the field.

Passing the ExCPT provides a nationally recognized credential as a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). Certification means that the pharmacy technician demonstrates knowledge and competency handling core tasks. The credential also helps job candidates secure employment. Until now, only one pharmacy-technician certification option was available in Arizona.

"As an Arizona pharmacy technician and after 10 years of hard work, I am very pleased that the board now recognizes the ExCPT exam as a means of certification for pharmacy technicians in Arizona," Anita Benavidez, pharmacy patient advocate for Banner Health and member of the ExCPT Certification Governance Board, said. "Having a second exam will open up many doors that have previously been closed, or may be closed to pharmacy technicians in Arizona if only one certification provider is available."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona employed more than 9,000 pharmacy technicians in 2015. The certification program helps assure that potential job candidates are qualified for the position.

"The Arizona Community Pharmacy Committee (ACPC) supports the Arizona Board of Pharmacy's approval of (the) ExCPT," Janet Underwood, director of pharmacy affairs, ACPC, said. "We believe that providing multiple exam options will provide our members and pharmacy technicians freedom of choice in selecting the exam that best suits their individual needs in meeting Arizona's certification requirements."